Local Campaigns and Events

Women's Aid ABCL&N are involved in a range of campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence:

Safe Place Initiative

White Ribbon Campaign

A Safe Place for victims of Domestic Violence to access information

WHAT IS A SAFE PLACE?

Safe Place is a new initiative which provides support in a range of settings for people requiring information on domestic violence. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. In most businesses, it is likely that customers, service users and staff will include victims of domestic violence on a daily basis. To find out further information about Safe Place Organisations and how to become a Safe Place, click here for further information on ONUS.

Family Portrait - Voice of a Victim

Our DVD – ‘Family Portrait - Voice of a Victim’ was officially launched on 11th December 2013 in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Women’s Aid and the Justice Minister, David Ford.

The DVD was funded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Youth Justice Agency and produced by our Young Voices group - a group of young people aged 12-19 who meet weekly to talk about current issues and understand the dynamics of healthy/unhealthy relationships

The DVD builds upon the success of a dramatic play also called ‘Family Portrait, Voice of a Victim’ which was developed by our young people in 2011. The play was originally developed and performed by our Young Voices group to portray a powerful representation of domestic abuse through the eyes of young people. Click here to view a clip of the 'Voice of the Victim' DVD

The young people performed the play :

• In the Ballymena Town Hall
• In the Old Court House Antrim
• At Garnerville PSNI training headquarters
• At Stormont Buildings

The performances were attended by high profile public figures including Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of the Police Service NI, Patricia Lewsley, Children’s Commissioner for NI, The Minister for Health, Edwin Poots and Minister for Education, John O’Dowd

Due to the success of the play in 2011, the PSNI and Youth Justice Agency worked along with Women’s Aid in 2013 to further develop the original play into the DVD and accompanying resource manual.

The DVD and manual provides a unique awareness raising tool for all professionals working with children and young people. It tells a story through a character called Julie, a young woman who thought she’d found love but sadly endured over twenty years of abuse. It is a story about a mother who thought she was trying her best to keep her children safe and who, with the help and support of others, managed to turn her life around.

The resource manual is full of useful advice, information and contact numbers. The pack aims to help the public learn more about the issue of abuse within teenage relationships as well as recognising the early warning signs of abuse and the issues of power and control. It can be used as a training tool by professionals working with or on behalf of children and young people at risk of experiencing domestic violence.

Attending the official launch of the DVD in December 2013, Chief Constable Matt Baggott said:

“The emotional impact of domestic abuse should not be underestimated. Victims can live for years through harrowing experiences and if the victim is a parent then there can also be an incredibly negative impact on children and other young people within the family circle.

“Our figures show that this year to date there have been 27,190 reports of domestic abuse incidents received by police in comparison to the previous year’s figure of 25,196. While these statistics are abhorrent, we know that this is an underreported crime, so we welcome that the increase indicates that more people are confident in the police response to this crime. Our message is very clear. Domestic abuse can only stop if you report it.”

Also speaking at the event, Justice Minister David Ford said:

“The DVD is powerful viewing and I commend all those involved in its production. It gives young people a voice, a voice that must be heard. I am pleased that the DVD will now be used, along with associated training material, to educate a wide range of organisations so that they can better understand the safety and support mechanisms young people in this situation need.”

Laura Dillon, Volunteer Co-ordinator said:

“We are very proud of the work and commitment the young people have put into making the DVD Family Portrait Voice of a Victim. They have worked tirelessly to produce the DVD along with the resource manual, which will be used as an educational tool for all. We hope this DVD will raise awareness of the impact domestic violence has on children and young people as the hidden victims of domestic violence. Together, we can make a difference.”

White Ribbon Campaign

Women’s Aid ABCLN and our 100 Champions launched a year long campaign on 25th November 2008, International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women. 25th November marks the beginning of 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women, ending on 10th December – International Human Rights Day.

Women’s Aid ABCLN have hosted a series of White Ribbon events. The photograph below shows 100 men supporting the campaign in 2008.

Wearing a White Ribbon is a symbol the wearer pledges ‘never to commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women’.

In 2009 Women's Aid ABCLN gathered signatures from across the 5 areas, and on Monday 30th November, NIO Minister Paul Goggins, accepted the thousands of signatures from Women's Aid Area Manager, Rosemary Magill.

Among the signatures were 108 from every MLA elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly - according to Speaker William Hay, the first time he could recall all MLA's uniting unanimously behind a cause.

No Excuses for Domestic Violence

Women’s Aid ABCLN have an ongoing campaign to challenge the myths that surround domestic violence and raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence in our community. It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence or abuse at some stage in their lifetime. Women’s Aid work with a wide range of partners to support victims and to stop perpetrators. We believe domestic violence is a crime for which there are no excuses.